Study of prevalence of anaemia and haematological parameters in children below 12 years in Northern Karnataka

Abstract

Anaemia may be defined as a reduction in red blood cell (RBC) mass or blood haemoglobin (HGB) concentration. The most common cause of anaemia in newborns include blood loss, Rh or ABO incompatibility in 3 to 6 months suggests hemoglobinopathy, Nutritional iron deficiency causes after six months hence symptoms of blood examination in children play a significant role below 12 years. 92 children below 12 years of age having anaemia were studied. The blood examination was done to rule out PCV, MCV, MCH, MCHC, RPW, Hb%, PS study, reticulocyte count, and serum iron (Fe), Serum B, folic acids. The types of anaemia were 53(57.6%) anaemia, 13(14.1%) Thalassemia, 10(10.8%) Megablastic anaemia, 8(8.6%) Anaemia of acute haemorrhage, 5(5.4%) sickle cell anaemia, 2(2.1%) aplastic anaemia, 1(1.08%) leukaemia. Clinical manifestations had 92(100%) pallor, 78(84.7%) weakness and fatigability, 36(39.1%) fever, 26(28.2%) Icterus, 19(20.6%) shortness of breathing, 16(17.3%) hepatomegaly, 14(15.2%) cough, 13(14.1%) history of pica, 12(13%) splenomegaly, 10(10.8%) petechiae, 9(9.7%) vomiting, 9(9.7%) Koilonychias, 5(5.4%) hyper-pigmentation, 6(6.5%) tremors, 21(22.8%) was mild anaemia, 42(45.6%) moderate, 29(31.5%) severe anaemia on the basis of haemoglobin level. This pragmatic study of anemia had iron deficiency was a major cause followed by thalassemia, megaloblastic, acute hemorrhagic sickle cell, aplastic anemia. This study will be helpful to the pediatrician to treat such children efficiently to avoid morbidity and mortality.